Submission specialist Gordon Ryan is facing a challenging situation as his stomach problems have resurfaced, which almost led him to an early retirement. Unfortunately, this setback occurred at the worst possible time, just days before his highly-anticipated grappling super fight against his long-standing rival, Felipe Pena, for Tezos WNO. The fight is scheduled for this Saturday, February 25th, at The Hangar in Costa Mesa.
Coach John Danaher shared some unfortunate news on his Instagram account.
“Sad news: Gordon Ryan will have to pull out of the WNO grappling super fight with Felipe Pena scheduled for this weekend in Costa Mesa,” Danaher wrote. “Mr. Ryan was afflicted with severe stomach issues that resulted in a severe and quick weight loss [and] dehydration along with severe nausea and associated symptoms. He tried hard to shrug it off and bulldoze through it but to no avail. Even very mild workouts left him totally exhausted and physically debilitated. It was a tough call as both athletes had invested a lot in preparation for this match and expectations were high, but I believe it is the correct call. This match deserves both athletes in peak physical condition.”
Two-time ADCC silver medalist Nick Rodriguez has stepped up to fill in for Ryan. Known for his explosive takedowns and dynamic grappling style, Rodriguez is a formidable opponent who is sure to make the match exciting.
To make up for the change in the main event, the organizers have decided to switch to a submission-only format. The match is set to last for 30 minutes, allowing the competitors ample time to showcase their skills and attempt to secure a submission victory.
Nick Rodriguez, who will be filling in for Gordon Ryan in the grappling super fight, is not a stranger to the WNO stage. The two-time veteran of the event has proved his mettle time and again, most notably with his victory over Felipe Pena in the semifinals of the heavyweight division at the 2022 ADCC World Championships.
While Rodriguez ultimately lost to Ryan in the final of that tournament, the two former teammates had a rematch a few months later at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3. Despite stepping up on short notice, Rodriguez put up an impressive fight. However, Ryan managed to secure the win by way of control time in overtime.
Felipe Pena Shares Text Conversation with Gordon Ryan Revealing Reason for Grappling Super Fight Withdrawal
Following the announcement of Gordon Ryan’s withdrawal from the grappling super fight against Felipe Pena, Pena took to social media to share screenshots of a recent conversation he had with Ryan via text. In the conversation, Ryan explained that he had been forced to pull out of the match due to health concerns.
Ryan expressed his apologies for his withdrawal, citing a high-grade fever and persistent diarrhea as the reasons for his absence. The screenshots provided by Pena shed some light on the unfortunate circumstances that led to Ryan’s withdrawal from the highly-anticipated match.
